Get Involved

Volunteers are the heart of FRIENDS WAY and the families are its soul. Approximately 15 volunteers per group are needed to ensure the best quality of care for our families. We invite individuals who are caring, sensitive and committed to helping their community. For more information about FRIENDS WAY volunteer opportunities, contact us at 401-921-0980.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are the heart of FRIENDS WAY and the families are its soul. We invite anyone who is caring, sensitive and committed to take advantage of the volunteer opportunities at FRIENDS WAY.

Group Facilitators

Facilitators work with a specific group of children, teens or adults. During group sessions, they help participants safely and openly express their feelings of grief through age appropriate activities using expressive arts. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every other week on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. Professional training is provided. We ask for a commitment of one year, just eight hours a month. New training session dates are listed below.

Dinner Hosts

Individuals or small groups needed to help set up, serve and remove dinner settings. Hours include Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

Board Members

Concerned individuals are needed to help grow and progress FRIENDS WAY. Board meetings are held one night each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. All volunteer work is performed at FRIENDS WAY, 765 West Shore Road, Warwick, RI.

Volunteer Facilitator Training Sessions

Facilitators will work with a specific group of children, teens or adults by helping them safely and openly express their feelings of grief through age appropriate activities using the expressive arts. Hours are 5:30-9pm every other week on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. Professional training is provided. We ask for a commitment of one year and just 8 hours a month.

Upcoming Training Dates

  • Monday, 3/18, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

  • Saturday, 3/23, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Thursday, 3/28, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

  • Monday, 4/1, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

  • Thursday, 4/4, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Attendance all ALL sessions is required. Meals are provided; COVID and flu vaccines required. Onboarding through Lifespan.

Interested applicants should contact Ryan Loiselle at 401-921-0980.

Training Location
FRIENDS WAY
765 West Shore Road.
Warwick, RI 02889
Get directions

For information and application, please contact Ryan Loiselle, Program Director.
R.Loiselle@friendsway.org
401-921-0980

Meals are provided; background check is required and paid for by Gateway Healthcare.

Michael Wiggins Enrichment Endowment Fund

In April of 2009, Dr. Michael Wiggins, a dear friend to the FRIENDS WAY community, died unexpectedly on a family trip in Colorado. Two of his children were competing in a national snowboarding competition. Being the active, hands-on, supportive parents that they are, Michael and Doreen were there to cheer on and have fun with their kids. Michael was not a sit-on-the-sidelines kind of dad. He was always right in the midst and modeled the importance of living fully. He embraced life and inspired those around him to do the same.

Michael and Doreen Wiggins

For close to a decade, Doreen and Michael have been part of the FRIENDS WAY family. They’ve helped us create our vision and expand our mission as the needs of grieving children, teens and families have become more apparent. Together, they dedicated themselves to the growth of our organization. While Mike and Doreen have contributed to the financial sustainability of FRIENDS WAY, they have also provided creativity, abundant energy and an unwavering dedication and hopefulness to our programs. Most importantly, they have done so together as true partners.

In honor of Mike, we created the Michael Wiggins Enrichment Endowment for FRIENDS WAY. This enrichment endowment focuses on adventure, education and services for the children and families of FRIENDS WAY. It also supports Camp Star Fish, a FRIENDS WAY camp held in July of every year. 

If you would like to donate to the Michael Wiggins Enrichment Endowment, you can mail your contribution to:

Michael Wiggins Enrichment Endowment
c/o FRIENDS WAY
765 West Shore Road
Warwick, RI 02889

If you have any questions about this fund, please contact Susan Stevenson at (401) 921-0980.